Recent Reports of Attempted Abductions Have Area on Edge

by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer

Posted:
10/26/2012 10:17:35 AM MDT

Updated:
10/26/2012 10:27:45 AM MDT

On the harrowing heels of recent news concerning the abduction and murder of 10-year-old Westminster child Jessica Ridgeway, parents and citizens throughout Colorado have been put on high alert and it seems the distress is no longer in the realm of big city issues.

In fact, a rash of reports of attempted child abductions have recently hit the rural areas of Northeastern Colorado, including in the town of Akron where Washington County Sheriff's Officials report that on Tuesday, October 23, at approximately 5:30 p.m., there was a possible attempted abduction of an 11-year-old girl.In their report, officials state that the victim noted that the driver of the vehicle asked her to come and speak to him after he followed her for a couple of blocks.She said no and he then asked her to come with him.She proceeded to run to the school to find an adult.

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The vehicle, described as a newer model white Dodge or Ford pickup, was a four-door with dark tinted windows, pulling a flatbed trailer with a large round item on it.It was described as having a large grill that was made out of a propane tank and had a smoke stack on it.The item on the trailer was white in color with some rust on it.The victim also described the driver as a white male with longer shaggy brown hair that was not combed.

A similar incident was also reported in the small Logan County town of Merino where another 11-year-old girl reported being chased to school on the morning of Thursday, October 11.She said she was walking to school when she heard footsteps behind her. When she looked back, she saw a white male, who was about 40-50 years old and bald, with a grey beard and a medium build that appeared to be running toward her. The male was dressed in a blue T-shirt and blue jean shorts. He didn't say or yell anything at her.

Deputies checked the area after she reported the incident at the school and didn't find anyone who matched that description. A neighborhood canvas was also completed in regards to the incident. The vehicle description obtained by the Logan County Sheriff's Office matched the description of the vehicle reported in the Akron abduction.

According to a statement issued by BHS Principal Dave Vondy to parents of students in the Brush School District, the Brush Police Department has taken measures in light of recent news to step up patrols in marked and unmarked cars in Brush neighborhoods as well.

In the statement, Vondy notes, “Please advise your child/children that they should take safety precautions and never get in a vehicle with a stranger, walk with another person to and from school and if someone tries to approach them they should run away to a safe area while yelling for help, find someone they trust and/or call the police.”

Vondy also notes the best protection will be for community and parents being vigilant as locals help watch out for the safety of children, reporting suspicious activity as soon as possible.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information on the abduction case in Akron to contact them at (970) 345-2244.

Anyone with additional information on the Merino case can contact Investigator Mike Archer or Deputy Matt Williams at (970) 522-2578.